If Nick Sirianni could throw the red challenge flag during a practice, he would have, if only to see the slow-motion replay for himself.
Watching his team work on a sunny Labor Day afternoon, Sirianni was reminded of some great news: Saquon Barkley is a Philadelphia Eagle.
“He made a run at practice yesterday,” Sirianni said, “and I just remember I was wearing sunglasses, it was sunny out, just kind of taking my sunglasses off and looking at a couple coaches. I’m like, alright, this is awesome that we got him here, not only for the play that he brings to the field — and the cut that he made yesterday at practice — but also his leadership and the person that we have.”
The Eagles have so much star power, and have undergone so much change since their 2023 tailspin, that at times it’s easy to overlook their most prized free agent acquisition. Barkley could be a game-changer this season in an offense that boasts arguably the best offensive skill position talent in franchise history.
PFF recently released bold predictions for all 32 NFL teams, and Barkley was featured in their writeup on the Eagles:
Newly acquired running back Saquon Barkley‘s current career high for rushing yards in a single season is 1,312, which we saw him amass back in 2022. Now playing behind the Eagles’ offensive line, I not only expect him to have his best season yet but I am predicting he will lead the league in rushing. Christian McCaffrey led the league in 2023 with 1,459, which is realistic for Barkley to eclipse if he can stay healthy. Philadelphia’s offensive line has earned PFF overall grades above 80.0 in each of the past three seasons.
Barkley will be looking to draw a few more double-takes in his Eagles debut against the Green Bay Packers Friday night in Brazil. The former No. 2 overall pick of the New York Giants spent six seasons in East Rutherford, and he’s had some success against the Packers, topping 100 scrimmage yards in all three of his games against them. Last season, Barkley rushed for 86 yards and a score in a Giants win over the Packers on Monday Night Football.
“He’s just dynamic with the ball,” former Giants teammate and new Packers safety Xavier McKinney said. “He’s pretty much all you want a back to do. He can just do it all. He’s a special back, one of one.”
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